(HALIFAX, November 2, 2015): Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) announced today that the 2017 and 2018 Men’s Basketball Championships have been awarded to the innovative joint bid between Dalhousie, Acadia and Sports & Entertainment Atlantic (S|E|A). Halifax basketball fans will have the opportunity to once again see Canada’s top University basketball teams compete for the title of CIS Champions at the Scotiabank Centre in March 2017 and March 2018.
"Dalhousie is thrilled that our joint-bid to bring the CIS Final Eight back to Halifax was successful," said Tim Maloney, Dalhousie’s Director of Athletics. "This event will have a remarkable impact on our campus and community. Fans will be treated to some of the best basketball Canada has to offer. Being entrusted with such a prestigious event is an incredible honour and a responsibility we take very seriously."
"Acadia University, Athletics and Axemen, are excited and proud to be partners in hosting the CIS Men’s Basketball Championship. Basketball has been designated as one of the CIS’s three market driven sports so this is extremely significant for a school of our size.” said Acadia Director of Athletics Kevin Dickie. “Acadia has a storied men’s basketball tradition, participating in the ‘Final 8’ twenty-four times. This event will be significant for our recruiting, brand and our continued goal of being a nationally recognized athletic program. You can count on our alumni, fans and the Annapolis Valley taking residence in Halifax during the event.”
In partnership with Sports & Entertainment Atlantic, the two Universities will be bringing the annual CIS Championship event back to Halifax where it has experienced decades of strong local support and unparalleled success.
"We are honored to have earned the opportunity to continue, with the help of our partners, the ‘Final 8’ legacy created by the AUS and the dedicated volunteers who built this event into the successful institution it was here in Halifax," stated Derek Martin, President of Sports & Entertainment Atlantic. "With our hosting of the CIS University Cup Men’s Hockey Championships again this March, S|E|A remains committed to elevating the university sport brand in our marketplace."
"Dalhousie is very excited to be hosting the CIS Final Eight in partnership with Acadia," said Dr. Richard Florizone, President of Dalhousie University. "This event will bring tremendous energy, enthusiasm and impact to Halifax and we are thrilled to play a lead role. CIS basketball has a long history of success in our city and we look forward to adding another chapter.”
"Being chosen to host the 2017 and 2018 CIS Men's Basketball Championships with our partners at Dalhousie is a tremendous honour," said Ray Ivany, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia. "Both Acadia and Dalhousie have significant experience as competitors and champions at the national level and we know what it means to the schools, student-athletes, and their supporters to make it to this tournament. Halifax is a basketball city and Nova Scotia has great basketball programs from one end of the province to the other. We are thrilled to be bringing the best players in our country back to Halifax where some of the greatest games in CIS men's basketball history have been played."
The Dalhousie Tigers, led by head coach Rick Plato, will be the host team for the 2017 championship, while the Acadia Axemen, led by head coach Kevin Duffie, will be the host team for the 2018 championship. Both championships will be played at the Scotiabank Centre in Downtown Halifax, which has hosted countless sporting events such as the 2000 Memorial Cup, 2003 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, 2005 IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, the 2008 IIHF World Men’s Hockey Championship, the 2015 and 2016 CIS University cup, the 2015 World Curling Championships, as well as the CIS Basketball Championship 27 times.
"The Scotiabank Centre is proud to partner with S|E|A, Dalhousie University and Acadia University to bring CIS basketball back to Halifax," said Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, the Crown corporation that manages the Scotiabank Centre "We have a long history of hosting the CIS Championships and look forward to showcasing our newly renovated facility to basketball fans from across the country."
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For more information contact:
Tim Maloney
Director of Varsity Athletics
Dalhousie University
902.494.3752
tim.maloney@dal.ca
Kevin Dickie
Director of Athletics
Acadia University
902.585.1551
kevin.dickie@acadiau.ca
Derek Martin
President
Sports & Entertainment Atlantic
902.444.3773 x1
derek@seatlantic.ca